The 55-year-old leaked classified documents to ABC journalists in 2017, who went on to produce a series called The Afghan Files.

The reports aired allegations of Australian soldiers carrying out unlawful killings in Afghanistan.

Recent raids at ABC headquarters in Sydney came off the back of those stories, with the public broadcaster launching separate legal action to declare the search warrants invalid.

The two journalists involved are also being pursued by federal police for publishing the documents.

McBride has been committed to stand trial charged with theft of commonwealth property, three counts of breaching the Defence Act and unauthorised disclosure of information.

"I've already admitted I gave the documents, my justification is it was my duty to do so, because the government was breaking the law," McBride said.

"And my duty is to the people of Australia, not to the government of Australia."

McBride says he will continue to represent himself in court, adding he hasn't met a lawyer willing to take the government on.

"Maybe Amal Clooney if she's available but presumably she's not. I can't afford her, so I'll do it myself."

The former military lawyer says he's still confident as the trial nears.

"Every week I get more and more supporters from around the world and especially in Australia, contacting me saying 'we're behind you, you're doing the right thing, and if you go to jail we'll be there supporting you'.